When it's on (roughly spring–autumn), the Giardini national pavilions and the vast Arsenale rope walks turn Venice into the centre of the contemporary-art world — a full day or two of provocative, of-the-moment work in extraordinary spaces. The catch: it's strictly seasonal (nothing to see off-year/off-season), tickets aren't cheap, it's a lot of walking, and it leaves classical-Venice seekers cold while thrilling the art crowd.
The Art Biennale runs in odd-ish years and the Architecture Biennale in alternate years, typically from spring to late November; there's no exhibition outside the season. · model-knowledge
Main venues are the Giardini (national pavilions) and the Arsenale. · model-knowledge